Former AU Chairperson Stresses Education Must Be Apex Priorities to Ensure Sustainable Dev’t, Peace in AfricaOld Mutual Foundation aids Aussenkehr fire victims

Addis Ababa: Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stressed that education must be one of the 'apex priorities in every country' to ensure sustainable development and peace in the African continent. This year's AU summit was held under the theme: "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa" at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking to ENA, Dlamini-Zuma said the theme of the 37th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of African Union is very important as it paid attention to education. 'I think the theme of this year is very important, because besides the fact that if people are skilled, they can get or create jobs...development needs, skilled and healthy people need to also be taken into account,' she elaborated. She stressed that African countries need to ensure that children get education and skills. On the other hand, Dlamini-Zuma indi cated that member states must understand and emphasize to invest in education. 'Our member states must understand that if you invest in education, we are investing in the economy ... If you don't have skilled people, we will not be able to develop your country, you won't be able to make sure your economy grows.' Noting that the African continent has ample resources including minerals, water and other natural resources, she said 'If you don't have skilled people to turn those into wealth for the country, it is useless.' So, 'education is an investment into the future and into the economic development of the country.You can't build infrastructure without skilled people. You need engineers and skilled people. So education must be one of their apex priorities in every country,' she underlined. She also stressed that each member state must take responsibility and make sure that they allocate the highest budget for education and the rest must come next. On other hand, she urged that member states should make s ure that there are schools for children to go to, there are TVET, technical colleges for them to go to when they finish high school. 'They are supposed to ensure that there are lecturers and professors who are going to be able to teach those young people and prepare them for the wealth and economy of the country. Of course now, we know that digital industries are very important. We need to start from a young age to teach kids coding and so that they are ready for the world of technology.' Talking of challenges of peace and stability on the continent, Dlamini-Zuma elaborated that peace and security is very critical for the development of Africa, because if there is no peace, there is no development. 'It is very critical that the African Union is working with the UN Security Council to ensure peace; even national governments must ensure peace in the country. But it's not only important for development, you know, when there is conflict, women and children are the ones who suffer most.' On other hand, Zuma el aborated that the international community must understand AU must participate in all the structures in peace and security matters. If you want, the international system adheres to the UN charter, where all nations are equal, where everyone has a right and dignity. It means we cannot exclude such a big continent of humanity out of the system, if we continue so, it is not a fair system. 'The international community must understand that Africa must participate in all the structures in peace and security affairs. It must participate in the permanent membership everywhere,' Dlamini-Zuma underlined. Source: Ethiopian News Agency The Old Mutual Foundation, through the ||Kharas Governor's office, on Monday donated food items to 59 families at Aussenkehr who lost their belongings and houses in a fire last year. The affected families who received food items worth a total N.dollars 30 000, mostly consist of employees of grape companies. The fire occurred in November and claimed the life of a 27-year-old man. Governor Aletha Frederick while thanking the foundation for the gesture, urged the employers and owners of the grape companies, as well as the regional council, to come together and urgently address the pressing housing needs of Aussenkehr residents. 'It is essential that we work together to ensure that these families have a safe and secure place to call home as they rebuild their lives after this devastating tragedy. It is through collective efforts and acts of kindness that we can truly make a difference and build a stronger, more resilient society,' she said. Frederick also encouraged the victims to remain strong and resilient during this difficult time. 'Please know that you are not alone. Many within our community are there to support you and use the donation for its intended purpose, feed your families and alleviate some of the burdens you are facing.' Meanwhile, the Namibia Grape Company (NGC) constructed 24 shacks for their employees affected by the fire and provided beds, mattresses, and gas stoves all to the tune of N.dollars 300 000 funded through the NGC trust. In an interview with Nampa recently, NGC managing director Gideon Nuunyango said the donation to the employees formed part of the company's corporate social responsibility. 'These people are our employees, some have been working here for many years and we decided to help them in this time of need,' he said. Source: The Namibia Press Agency